How SMEs Can Benefit From CII's GreenCo Rating System? CII’s Muthusezhiyan Explains

Groundwater conservation, waste management, and raw material conservation and recycling are some of the ways India's small and medium enterprises can attain sustainability, N. Muthusezhiyan, Deputy Executive Director of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) explained at the masterclass on the "Pathway to Net Zero & Competitiveness" for SMEs on the second day of the Outlook C3 Summit and Awards.

In an engaging session, he discussed about CII's GreenCo Certification, a first-of-its-kind rating system that recognises and facilitates the growth of top-notch green companies in India.

It was launched in 2011 and assists companies in improving their environmental performance in a comprehensive manner. Muthusezhiyan said that the GreenCo Rating System focuses on ten key performance areas like energy efficiency, renewable energy, water conservation, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, waste management, material conservation, recycling & recyclability, green supply chain, product stewardship & life cycle assessment, innovation for the environment, and green infrastructure and ecology.

The rating system evaluates companies based on ten parameters, scoring up to 1,000 points. Companies are then categorized into ratings ranging from Certified (350-449 points) to Platinum+ (the highest rating), with Bronze (450-549), Silver (550-649), Gold (650-749), and Platinum (750+) in between. The parameters assessed include energy efficiency, water conservation, renewable energy, and more.

Muthusezhiyan also told participants about the CII-Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre in Hyderabad. CII – Sohrabji Godrej Green Business Centre (CII – GBC) was established in 2004 as CII’s Developmental Institute on Green Practices & Businesses, aimed at offering world-class advisory services on the conservation of natural resources. It was inaugurated by former President Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. The centre offers advisory services on energy management, green buildings, and renewable energy.